Madison Montessori teachers’ new union might be a Wisconsin first
Teachers at three Madison Montessori schools have voted to be represented by a union, joining a short list of unionized child care workers in Wisconsin and becoming what may be the state’s first unionized private school teachers.
The 12-3 vote included all eligible staff from the three schools operated by Toad Hill Montessori Inc. — Toad Hill Children’s House, Toad Hill Toddler House and Blooming Grove Montessori — according to Andy Sernatinger, a business representative with Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 39, which will represent the workers. One vote was challenged by the employer and not counted.
At the time workers filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board in September, 23 teachers were eligible, but Sernatinger said two teachers were fired and six quit. The union will represent around 20 staff, including a few who were hired too recently to be eligible to vote, Sernatinger said.
